Coaching Archives - Clare Maxfield

Jul 30 2016

Open your mind to all that you hear, you just might hear what is not being said.

Proper listening to everything that people have to say can reveal things that they may wish to conceal. Through observing and being open to their body language, vocal tone and tempo you can pick up many hidden clues to the truth.

Our appearance, behaviour and our communication say more than our words simply do. Never assume that by dressing well that you can hide the truth of a matter, nor by choosing your words well, will cover up any flaws in the rest of your message.

I find that if I sit back, look, listen and feel a situation. I can learn more than words alone.

The art of reading a person can reveal more about what motivates them to act in a certain manner, what their values are and how to communicate with them in a way that they will be fully frank and open with you. Even when they think they are hiding something.

Discover more about your own values here

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Jun 23 2016

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. —Helen Keller

when one door closes, look for the opening door We spend way too much time looking at the door which has closed that we can miss seeing what has opened up beside it.

Take every loss as an opportunity to grow, to discover, to see something new and wonderful.

The view is all yours. You can choose what you want to look at.

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Jun 14 2016

We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. Ronald Reagan

A great friend of me once told me. If you want to make a difference. Stop trying to change everyone.

Just start with one person.

Don’t make life difficult, don’t aim for two until you have locked in one.

Who can you reach out to today?

Who can you help today?

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May 12 2016

Walk and Talk to your Future

Last night I was asked this question via email and I thought it was a great one to share here – “I was thinking about my voice and my walk – do they play a role in the way I dress?”

Here is my answer –

If you have a strong voice and powerful gait and wish to be seen as friendlier, you will need to wear medium intensity clothing in friendly colours such as mid-tone blues, creams and lilacs/purples. Your fabrics will also nee to be softer and the lines softer. Or at least one of these elements being softer as I don’t actually know what you look like so I am not sure if your physical appearance is overall more assertive, more supportive or quite balanced.

If you have a soft voice and a floating walk and wish to be seen as more persuasive, then you will need to wear strong colours and sharper cuts.

Our physical presence is the first thing people notice about us, so as you walk into a room, your walk, associated with your outfit will set the stage for how you are perceived. A strong outfit and a strong walk will say – I am a strong woman. A softer outfit combined with a graceful stride will say, I am friendly and you have nothing to worry about.

Now in both instances, you will expect the voice to reflect the image and you can come undone if you do not sound as you look.

Let’s now take this image to the telephone, your voice will paint a picture of what you look like. It can range from age expectations to personality and size. Again, people do not like to be surprised. So if you wish to be taken seriously in your given role, that may be to be more persuasive, or more supportive, make sure all of your elements cover that expectation. These elements are your physical image, your clothing choices and your voice. The great thing is that we can choose our clothing to reflect an image and, with work, can adjust our voice to sound as we like.

Don’t fall on your face because you don’t appear to stand true to how you appear.

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May 10 2016

Looking Up

You have the choice to see what you see. You can look up towards possibility or you can look at your feet towards what is holding you where you are. You chose.

I am always amazed at clients who have no idea of what they are capable of. I ask them what they can see and they describe, what is right there in front of them.

Yes, I know, last weeks post told you to keep you eyes out of the clouds and focus on what is about you. That purple can keep your eyes in the sky and out of reality. There is a fine line between having your head in the clouds and having your feet stuck in the mud.

Look towards what is possible, then look back down and take the steps necessary to get there.

Recently I worked with a client who was lost. they had gotten to that age, when no one sees them anymore and neither did they. We did a great series of sessions to open up their eyes again to who they are and what they are capable of. they are now embracing a new position at work and a new appreciation that their social and professional life does not end at 50. (and who ever said it did!)

Don’t get stuck in your gutter. It is never too late to look up and get out.

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